Spotlight - April A. Severin Interview

Spotlight – April A. Severin

On Saturday February 1, 2003 I attended a book launch at the Transit Gallery in downtown Hamilton entitled, April in February.

Well as the title indicates, a little warmth has been brought through to temper these cold days with the opening of April A. Severin’s two newly released chapbooks, ‘Animal Appeal’ and ‘Feast.’

April in February turned out to be a huge success as the gallery filled up from wall to wall with fellow poets, family, friends, and others interested in the promise of more of April’s poetry.

This time, April gives us ‘Feast,’ a wonderfully mouthwatering collection of words filling enough to satisfy the most scrupulous of appetites.
April’s ‘Feast’ is fit for a king, as she compares language with food in a scrumptious pallet of poetry.
If you ever feel the need to nourish your soul, try snacking on April’s ‘Feast.’

Those who’ve read April’s Poetry know her style is short, sweet, and perfectly succinct. Her poetry is not filled with lilies and storybook romance, but of the harsh realities looming in our society: animal cruelty being a main focus in her book, ‘Animal Appeal.’

Through her poetry, April aims to bring to our attention the seriousness of society’s cruel attitude toward animals.
If you feel uncomfortable reading one of her poems, good - that means the message is getting through to you that there is definitely something wrong.

Not only is April a poet with a voice, but she’s also an excellent role model for anyone who has the preconceived belief that their poetry won’t sell.
Through her own small publishing company, Earth Partners Publishing, April has self-published a total of five chapbooks – all being great successes.

April has been kind enough to answer some of my questions and share her views with our readers:

MH: When did you start writing poetry? Why?

AS: In 1997 my poet friend Glenn Malone persuaded me I could write poetry. He based this belief on our talks and reading my non-fiction writing which included many letters to the editor.

Today poetry continues to be my preferred genre for self-expression. For me poetry is a form of therapy and activism.

MH: What are you working on now?

AS: On February 1, 2003 I hosted a book launch for my fourth and fifth chapbooks Animal Appeal and Feast.

I'm preparing to present my poetry at the following events:

Freedom To Read at the Art Bar Poetry Reading Series, Toronto February 26
Lit Live, Hamilton, April 6

I want to produce a spoken word recording of poems representative of my body of work.

MH: What are your plans for the future?

AS: I plan to see The Collected Works of April A. Severin in print before I die.

MH: What inspires you the most?

AS: Earth, Animals, and the English Language

MH: Do you have any advice for beginner poets?

AS: Read, write, connect with other poets through workshops and events such as literary readings and book fairs, self-publish, seek publication.

MH: Thank you for sharing with us.

See more of April A. Severin:

Earth Partners Publishing website - http://www3.sympatico.ca/aseverin/earthpartners
Hamilton & Area Authors Index - http://hpl.ca/local/authors/index.shtml
Contact: aseverin@sympatico.ca

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